what we have to do in the short term is avoid the fiscal cliff. the major decisions with regard to tax reform, social insurance programs, et cetera, can't and shouldn't be made until next year, after the american people are engaged and the committees do their work. >> david gergen, how do you get the political solution that opens the door to the policy conversations? >> well, i was encouraged that the republicans actually came forward with something today. a lot of people thought they would not. the president as you know, his team rejected it late this afternoon, but nonetheless, if people truly want to find a bridge to avoid the fiscal cliff, a way to get to the big issues as david walker says would have to come next year, i think they're the makings of it here. each side will have to compromise some more. each side will have to eat a little crow but i think it's imperative that the president take the view that what he's looking for is a win-win. if they take a win-win approach, i think they can get a deal. >> comment on that point. if two wrongs